Golf: NZ fourth in Eisenhower Trophy

Ryan Fox led the way for New Zealand with a two-over 74. Photo / Paul Estcourt

New Zealand achieved their best finish for nearly two decades at the world amateur men's team golf championship which finished in Argentina today.

The trio of Ryan Fox, Ben Campbell and Peter Spearman-Burn shot a final round five-over 149 in strong and cold winds to finish fourth overall in the Eisenhower Trophy tournament at Buenos Aires Golf Club.

Their performance is the best in the Eisenhower Trophy since New Zealand's victory in 1992.

France claimed victory for the first time on seven-under par after losing the lead mid-round to Denmark who saw their chances blown away in the strong winds. They eventually finished runners-up four shots back and only one in front of third placed USA.

New Zealand were fourth on five-over, a shot ahead of defending champions Scotland with a further three shots back to Ireland in sixth.

Auckland's Ryan Fox led the way today with a two-over 74 while Ben Campbell shot a three-over 75 and Peter Spearman-Burn the non-counting 79, with Campbell finishing in a share of fourth place on the individual leaderboard.

"We are happy. It was brutal today. It blew so hard and the greens were so fast that it was a matter of holding on," team captain John Gatley said.

"We got away to a good start but it was so tough and if you weren't in the perfect spot then it was a good effort to get up and down.

"It was a really good effort allround. Ben's a little bit disappointed because he came here wanting to win but when he takes a few days he will realise how well he has done. The boys combined well and they all contributed."

Fox said it was a demanding final day.

"There were only a couple of holes that were genuine birdie holes out there today. The downwind holes had pins at the front which were impossible to get close to and anything into the wind was tough," Fox said.

"We wanted to attack today but the conditions didn't allow. So it was a matter of being patient and graft."

He made a superb birdie on the final hole with a 20ft putt to give New Zealand the buffer in fourth place over Scotland.

"It was a tough putt up over the ridge but I really wanted to make it to give Ben the cushion coming home. Once it came over the crest of the hill and with about 10 feet to go I knew it was going in and it was a special feeling.

"It's been a great experience. For me it was a once in a lifetime thing and great to be able to compete against the best guys in the world and to top it off with a great effort to finish fourth.

"It's pretty humbling to know that is the best finish since the win in 1992 when you think of the amateurs that have gone on to have pretty good professional careers. That makes it special.

"We combined pretty well this week. BC (Ben Campbell) has been playing great all year and then Pete and I made sure we rallied around him and one of us got a score each day."

The championship was reduced to 54 holes after dangerous weather and course conditions for two lengthy suspensions in play in the second round.

- NZPA